If Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives want to replace Joe Straus as speaker because they want a better leader, that's fine. That's how the system is supposed to work. But if they want to oust him because he's not a hard-liner, that wouldn't be good for them or for Texas.

Republicans lost seven House seats last week but still dominate the chamber by a margin of 95-55. They can easily choose the next speaker, who needs 76 votes on the first day of the new session.

Straus could be challenged on the right by Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola. Yet in the last session, Straus followed a conservative agenda that saw major spending cuts. He even angered many Democrats with his handling of redistricting.

Frankly, after the results of last Tuesday's election, Republicans should realize that things have changed. Even in Texas, the party has no future if it restricts itself to people who are Republicans now.